OR XL P1 #65: Report of Colonel James P. McIvor, 170th NY, commanding 2/2/II/AotP, June 16-July 14, 1864

No. 65. Report of Colonel James P. McIvor, One hundred and seventieth New York Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations June 16-July 14.¹

HDQRS. SECOND Brigadier, SECOND DIV., SECOND ARMY CORPS,
November 9, 1864.

CAPTAIN: *

During the fight on the 16th of June, before Petersburg, was again in command of the brigade, Colonel Ramsey having been wounded in the early part of the action. The brigade failed to drive the enemy from their works, but maintained their position about thirty yards from the rebel entrenchments, where, during the night, we threw up breast-works, behind which we remained until the evening of the 17th, when we were relieved; occupied during the night a line of breast-works to the rear. On the following morning (the 18th) was ordered to take possession of the enemy’s breast-works, which had been evacuated during the night; was ordered to the support of Colonel Smyth, commanding Third Brigade, from which I was ordered to report to General Mott, commanding Third Division. While under his command was engaged in sup-

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* For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 460.

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porting a charge made by one of the brigades of his division. Same evening was ordered to reoccupy the works occupied by us in the morning. On the 19th was relieved of the command of the brigade by Colonel William Blaisdell, of the Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers. On the 23d, Colonel Blaisdell having been killed, I again assumed command of the brigade. Shortly after received orders to fall back and construct a breast-work. Same evening moved to the left and occupied a line of works to left and rear of the position occupied in the early part of the day. On the 25th moved to a line of works crossing the Jerusalem plank road, near the Williams house. On the 27th to the left, with Ames’ battery, and performed picket duty to the left of the Blackwater road, where said road is crossed by the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. On the 29th moved back and took position in the works to the front of and near the Jones house. On the 2nd of July shifted a little to the right, where we remained doing picket duty until the night of the 12th, when we destroyed the breast-works, and on the morning of the 13th the brigade went on picket duty in advance of the bridge over the Blackwater and crossing the Jerusalem plank road. On the 14th the regiments (Sixty-ninth and One hundred and sixty-fourth) who had been on duty on the left of road were withdrawn and marched to the rear of the Southall house, where I was relieved of the command by Colonel Mathew Murphy, of the Sixty-ninth New York National Guard Artillery.

Respectfully submitted.

J. P. McIVOR,

Colonel 170th Regiment New York Volunteers.

Captain A. HENRY EMBLER,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Second Div., Second Army Corps.

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